Thickening filter



Nov.25, 1924. 1,516,702

, v D. M. BERRY I THICKENING FILTER Filed F 1 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 0-. OOOOQG-OGOOQO D INVENTOR WITNESS I r Y flAwaM 55K? ATTORNEYS D. M. BERRY THICKENING FILTER Nov. 25 4- Filed Feb. 1', 192 2- 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 v v Fla 2f wz nvEss INVENIOR wa M 5:22!- M W Z): ATTORNEYS 1,516,702 D. M. BERRY THICKENING FILTER v Filed Feb. 1, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 I4 12 /3 Z9 3/ WITNESS 63 INVENTOR 15%Z Wf6 Patented Nov. 25, 1924.

UNITED STATES DAVID E. BER-BY, OE OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

.rnrcxnnme rrmnn.

Application filed February 1, 1922. Serial! No. 533,475.

To all whom/it may concern:

Be it known that I, DAVID M. BERRY, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Oakland, county of Alameda, and State of California, have in-.

vented a new and useful Thickening Filter, of which the following isa specification.

My invention'relates to filters and particularly to filters for increasing the density of the liquid handled by it.-

The objects of the invention include the provision of a thickening filter capable of continuous operation, and characterized by simplicity of construction, automatic control of operation and large capacity.

My invention possesses many other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description ofmy invention. It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the showing made by the said description, as I may adopt variant forms of my invention within the scope of the claims.

' In the drawings, Fig. 1 is an elevation, partly in section, of my thickening filter. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken in two planes indicated by the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail view in vertical section of a portion of the mechanism of my filter. Fig. 1 is a horizontal sectional view showing a portion of the structure shownin Fig. 2, on a-larger scale. Fig. 5. is an elevation of my complete apparatus. Fig. 6 is a vertica1l{ sectional view thru the top of the main tan In general terms the thickening filter of my invention comprises a closed tank adapt ed to hold the material to be treated and having a conical bottom. Arranged vertically in the tank and spaced circumferen-' tially therein at regular intervals are filter drums upon theoutside surface of which the cake accumulates. Means are provided for slowly rotating the filter drums. Adjacent each filter drum is a jet pipe fed by the material to be filtered and arranged to project a jet of. the material-against the surface of the filter drum. Means are pro vided for removing the filtrate from the 'interior of the filter drums and valves are arranged in the filtrate discharge passages and in the inlet passages to the jet pipes, so tha-tthe flow of filtrate from each filter drum, and the flow of material to each jet means are provided for closing the filtrate discharge valve and then 0 ening the jet pipe feed valve for each filter drum in succession. The filter cake builds up on the surface of the filter drumduring its slow rotation, and when the jet pipe feed valve is opened, a jet of the material impinges upon the filter drum to dislodge theaccumulated cake. Since the filtrate discharge valve closes just before the jet pipe feed valve opens, the pressure is equalized on both sides of the filter drum surface so that clinging of .thecake, which follows a of the cake at the wrong time due to excess of. pressure on the interior surface of the filter drums. Adjustable means are alsoprovided adjacent each filter drum for maintaining the filter bed formed by-.-the accumulating cake at a predetermined thickness,

and removing the cake deposited in excess of such thickness as the filter drum revolves. Such means also catches the cake loosened by thejet and provides means for conducting the thickened material to thebottom of the tank where a stirring mechanism insures a thickened material of uniform density. 1 The thickened material is discharged thru a back pressure valve set a few pounds higher than the pressure in the tank so that the discharge pump draws a steady stream at constant pressure.

More particularly m device comprises a tank 2 carried by the rackets 3 which are in turn supported on any suitable frame work. The tank .is provided with a conical bottom 4 which leads into the discharge pipe 6. Atmthe lower end of the cylindrical portion of the tank is arranged a spider. 7, and in suitable bearings in the spider and in the top 8 of the tank, a shaft 9 is journaled. The shaft 9 is driven by the gear 11, fixed near its upper end and meshing with the pinion 12. on the shaft 13, which isv rotated by any suitable means. Both shaft 9 and shaft 13 are jo'urnaled in the bearing block 14, which is supported on the two shafts as well as roviding support for them. itirring bla es 16 are provided on the lower end of the shaft 9.

Journaled in suitable bearings in the spider 7 and (m the h 8, and spaced circumferentially about the interior of the tank known directly below it in the tank. Each eylin-4 these spur gears are in.

associated with adricalflange is covered by a plate 19 rovided with a stufling box bearing 21 in w 'ich p the upper end of the shaft 22 projectingfrom the upperflend of the filter drum'is journaled. The shaft 22 is hollow and in communication with the interior of the filter drum and at its upper end is enclosed withinthe stuffing box 23 which provides a connection with the fixed discharge pipe 24'. Fixed on each shaft 22'i's a spur gear 26, and all of mesh with a large central spur gear 27 which is fixed on the sleeve 28 rotatably mounted on the shaft -9. On the u per end of the sleeve which terminate just, elow the gear 11, is the bevel ear 2}} in mesh with the large pinion 31 ed on the shaft 13 adjacent the pinion 12.

From the above it will be clear that by disconnecting the pipe24 and cover plate 19, ivenfilter drum, such filter drum, in case it is desired to make as; repairs on it,- may be lifted out of the ta without disturbing any of the other mechanism. A blank cover plate may then be secured to the vacant cylindrical flange 18 L i and the rest of-the filter will operate as be- 1 lift;

fore, of course however with lessened output due to the decrease of the filtering surface.' It will also be observed that the rotation of theshaft 13 notonly effects the rotation of the stirring blades 16 in, the bottom of the tank but also effects the slow rotation of each filter drum about its ownaxis. IA of preferably one revolution per-minute in the shaft 13 will impart a speed of one fifth revolution e'r minute to gear 11 and the shaft 9, an one-half revolution per minute to gear 29 and ar-27, and2.41 revolutions per; minute for ach of the filter drums. .Of

course other pro ortions and speeds may be adopted, but I. d those stated give good results.

' Parallel-to eacli and closely adjacent thereto is a jet plpe 33. The jet pipe is supported fromthe spider 7 and is connected by pi 34 with a'manifold 36 which surrounds t e base of the,tank, and mtof under pressure. Passage-of matena to the is controlled by the valve 37 operthe rod 38 whichterminates- In a head 39 F' 3 after passing throu h a stuff:

box4l fiisposed on thetop8 o the tank. 7

A spring 42 'interposed'between the head 39 and. the stufiing box, tends jtokee'pth'e' rod in the itilpper position in which the valve, 37- is close The ulpper end of the rod 38 is, disposed below t v 43 which on the same end is provided with a roller 44', and on the outer end is connected bythe link 46 to the valve 47 which is, pIlaced in the filtrate discharge. pipe 24.

ormally a sprin v I a a stop 49 ad usta ly disposed in a stu 51 formed on the top 8. In this position the osition. Thus the jet 'ipe feed .valve '37 and the filtrate'discha'rge valve47 for each filter drum 'are interconnected, and both operated by movement of the lever 43, A I sprin 52 1s interposed between the link'46 and t e valve 47 and the arrangement of parts is such that the filtrate dischar valve 8 47 "is fully closed by movement of t e lever 43 before the jet pipe feed valve- 37 'is, opened. Means are provided acting in time with the rotation of'the filter drums for operat- 1 mg the various levers 43 in succession; Fixed for rotation with the shaft 9, just below the gear 27, is a cam 53 so positioned as to engage the'rollers 44 successively as the "shaft 9 revolves. When the'cam engages a roller 44 the lever 43 is tipped to first'close the associated filtrate discharge valve and thenjmmediately after open the corres ond-' -mg et pipe feed valve. As the-cam eaves the-roller 44 the feed valve closes and the filtrate discharge valve 0 ns. Movement of the parts '18 so timed t at before one jet pipe feed valve closes tlie'next succeeding one opens-so that the pressure within the tank remains constant. As best shown in 1 Fig. -4, the-jet pipe is formed with 'atanentially' opening slot 54 extending lon'gitumally thereof. The jet pipe is ,place'd'close to'thefilter' drum so that the jet strikes the filter drum-in a tangential direction. Means are provided for receiving the cake loosened by the jet and conducting itinto the bottom portion of the tank. Secured to the 'side.- of the tank-and extending-verti- A call u ward by each filter drum is a cy lm A ice or tubular shell 55 having a lon--- a gitudmally extending v penin in the side thereof in whiehthejet pi e ies. The'jet ipe is-cont'iguous to one e of the o nig but a narrowspace is le f t betweenp he- 0 posite side of the jet pipe and the other edge of the tubular member,- which is formed-as' -shown in Fig. 4 to provide a cut-; gngh or scraper 56 adapted to lieclose e with. Each tubular member i s.-secured to e the side of the tank and the scraper may be rocked to one side or the other y r I the adjusting screws 57 so thatthe position o scraper edge-relative to' the filter e inner. end of the lever 70 48 retains the lever u on 7 filtrate discharge valve 47 isin theQop'en ter drumv but not in contact there- '6 the inside of the tank. A lock nut provided with suitable packing material thereunder seals the joint with the tank. Suit-' abl placed openings in the tank wall norma 1y closed by plugs 61 are arranged so that the scraper edge may be seen when it is adjusted.

By adjustment of the scraper edge the thickness of the filter cake accumulated on the filter drum ma be closely regulated.

the jet from the jet pipe impinges upon the filter cake just in front of the scraper edge and its efi'ect is-to carry into the tubular conductor the loosened material which is therefore given a whirling motion. A downward direction is impartedto the whirling material by means of spirally arranged fins 62. At the ened material emerges to be caught by the stirring blade and thoroughly mingled with the other material atthe bottom of the tank. The discharge pipe 6 is preferably connected into a pump cylinder 63, the piston of which is preferably directly connected to the piston in thei steam cylinder 64. The pump discharges into the line 65- in which a ack pressure valve 66 is arranged. The back pressure valve is set a .few pounds, say 5, higher than the pressure in the drum so that a steady stream at constant pressure is delivered to the line 65.

In some cases it ma be desirable to increase the velocity oft e jet. This may result in a greater quantity-of material entering the'tank than can be .taken care of thru the filtrate discharge valves and the normal flow of thickened material'thru the discharge pipe 6. In order to provide for this situation a vent. pipe 67 is arranged in the top of the tank. A backpressure valve, 68 set a few pounds in excess of the normal pressure in the tank is arranged in the pipe which dischar es into the main bod of ma terial from w ich the feed pump .supply the manifold 36. Means are rovided for permitting the escape of entrained gases in the tank. A small pipe 71 is connected thru the globe valve 72 with the pipe 67 and the other end connected into the pipe on the opposite side of the back pressure valve 68. The globe valve 72 is cracked 0 en and when the back pressure valve is c osed it acts as a bleeder and to permit the entrained gases to escape. 'A man hole .0 closed by a suitable cover plate is provided in the side of the tank to permit the entrance of a workman if necessary.

0peratz'on.-The supply of material to be I tered' is continuously being introduced 'to the tank by the jets, which also serve each drum prevents the The arrangement 10 the parts is such that,

cent to the scraper edge, loosening bottom the thick-- raws to to loosen the filter cakes which areconup on the filter drums as stantly buildin they rotate withinthe'material which. surrounds them. The scra ger blade adjacent uilding up of too thick a cake. An excess of cake beyond the prescribed thic ess is scraped off of the filter drum by the edge, and because of its higher density tends to sink thru the material in the tubular conductor to the bottom of the tank. As the cam 53 engages the roller 44 associated with a' articular filter drum unit the filtrate disc arge 'valve is closed so that the pressure of the filtrate within the filter drum is equal to that of the material on the outside'of the drum. At.

this instant the jet pipe feed valve is opened and a sheet of the material to be filtered impinges upon the filter cake closely adjat e cake from the filter surface and pro elling it into the tubular conductor .in w ch it is rapidly conducted to the bottom of the tank.

In the apparatus shown, 'I'prefer a jetting period of about one-half minute, and five minutes is needed for a' complete cycle around the ten filter drums shown. Before one jet stops the next succeeding one begins so that there is no variation in the pressure of the material in the tank. Thus the op- J eration proceeds about the drums successively, a continuous stream of filtrate and of thickened material. being dischar ed from the machine, the filtering medium eing maintained in condition for continuous operation by the means shown. 7

Because of the continuous operation of my machine, heated materials may be handled with a minimum of heat losses, and itwill be observed that the efliciency of my apparatus is not impaired by reversal of filtrate currents.

It will be observed that the material to be filtered is fed to the jet pipe from the bottom so that any pocket in which the solids of the material might collect to clog the pipe during the non-jet period is avoided. a

I claim: p 1. A filter comprisin a tank'ada'pted to hold the material to be filtered, a filter drum rotatably arranged in said. tank, means for directing a jet of the material to be filtered against said filter drum to dislodge the cake thereon,;and a tubular conductor discharging adjacent the bottom of said tank arranged parallel to said filter drum and providedwith a longitudinal opening to receive the loosened cake.

2. A filter comprisin a tank adapted to hold the material to be ltered, a filter drum rotatably arranged in saidtank, means for directing a jet ofthe material to be filtered against said filter .drum to dislodge the cake thereon, and. a tubular conductor dischargin adjacent the-bottom of said tank provi ed with a longitudinal opening to receive the loosened cake, the 'edge of said opening forming a scraper arranged adj acentthe surface of said filter drum.

atank adapted to v 3. A filter comprisin hold the material to be tered, a filter drum rotatablyarranged in said tank, means for directing a jetof material to be filtered against said filter drum to dislodge the cake thereon, and a tubular conductor dischargin adjacent the bottom of said tan'k rovi ed with a longitudinally exten ing scraper edge arranged adjacent the surface of said filter drum near the line of impinge- 'ment of said jet, said conductor having a longitudinally extending opening adjacent said scraper edge thru whlch the loosened cake ma [enter the conductor..

, adjacent the bottom of said tank arrange parallel to said filter drum and provided g -hold the material to be with a lonitiudinal opening to receive the loosened ca e,.a-nd s irally arranged means disposed on the insi e of said conductor to 1 direct the material therein toward the discharge end.v

5. A filter comprisin a tankadapted to tered, a filter; drum rotatably arranged in said tank, means for directing a jet of the material to be filtered Y agamst said filter drum to dislodge the cake thereon, means for directing the loosened cake to the bottom of said tank, means for removing the filtrate from said filter drum,

- and means for interruptin the discharge of filtrate from said filter rum durin the impingement of the jet on saidfilter rum.

filter comprisinga tank adapted to hold the material to be filtered, a filter drum rotatablyarranged in said tank, means for directing a jet of-the material to be' filtered aga'inst'said filter drum to dislodge the'cake thereon, means for directing the loosened cake to the bottom of said tank, means for removing the filtrate from said filter drum,

- filtrate from said filter I fore and duringthe'impingementof t 'e-jet on. said filter drum whereby the ressure is equalized'on both sides of said I 7. A filter comprisin a tank'adapted--tp" and means for interriiptin the discharge of rum shortl .be-

.- hold the material to be tered, a filter drum intermittently in said tank, means for rotatably arranged i a sheet jet of the rectin material to be filte drum durin" a complete revolution'thereof,

means for directing, the loosened cake to the bottom of the tank, means for agitating the i (thickened material at the of the tank trate from the filter drum durin ischar'ging against said filter to secure uniform density thereof, meansfor continuonsl removing the thickened material from t e bottom of the tank, and means for removing the filtrate from the filter drum.

8. A filter comprisin a tank adapted to hold the material tobe ltered, a filter drumrotatably arranged in said tank, means for intermittently irecting a sheetjet of the material to be vfiltered against said filter drum duringa complete revolution thereof to dislodge the cake accumulated during the non-jet period, .means for removing the filsaid nonjet period, means for directing t e loosened cake to the bottom of said tank, means for agitating the thickened material at the bottom of the tank to secure uniform density. thereof, and. means for continuously removing the thickened material from the bottom of the tank.

9. A. filter comprising a tank adapted to. hold the material to be filtered, a filter drum .rotatablyarranged in said tank, means for directinga jet of the material to'be filtered against said filter drum-to dislodge the cake thereon, means for directing the loosened cake to the bottom of said tank, meansfor removing the filtrate from said filter drum, means for interrupting the discharge'of filtrate'from said. filter drum durin the 1mmeans for contmuousl 'e'vaguatingthe thlilizened material from the bottom pf the ta ingeme'nt of the jet onlsaid filter rum, and v 10. A filterfcomprisin 'a tank adapted to hold the materialto be 7 tered, 'a filter drum rotatably arranged in said tank, means for intermittently irecti'ng material to be filtere drum durin a complete revolution thereof tozdislodge t e cake accumulated during the non-jeiperiod, means for directing the loosto the bottom of said tank, and i 11. A filtercomprisin a tank adapted to" ened c e means for rotating said filter drum.

hold the material to-be -fi tered, a filter drum rotatably arranged in said tank, a et pipe adjacent-the filter drum, means for supplyintervals whereby a jet of said'material is directed fagainst the cake accumulated on against said filter a sheet jet of the ing materialLto be filtered to said jet pipeat said filter'drum during the non-jet period,

andmeans fordirectingthe loosened cake thebottomof said tank."

12.: A filter 'e'ompris n' a tank adapted to hold the'material' to be tered,- a'filter drum;

rotatably-arranged: in; said --tank,f a jet. pipe adjacent the filter drum, means for supply-1'1 -"ingmaterial to bra-filtered to said jet pipeat' v intervalswwherjeb y a jet-of said materialls and 'a "tubular" conductor provided with a longitudinal opening thruwhich the loosened directedfagiainst" the cake accumulated on rum during the non-jet period,

cake is impelled by said jet for directing the loosened cake to thebottom of said tank.

13. A filter comprising a tank adapted to hold thematerial to be filtered, a filter drum rotatably arranged in said tank, -a jet pipe adjacent the filter drum, means for supplying material to be filtered to said jet pipe at intervals whereby a jet of said material is directed against the cake accumulated on said filter drum during the non-jet period, and a tubular conductor provided with a longitudinal opening thru which the loosened cake is impelled by said jet for directing the loosened cake to the bottom of said tank,-the edge of said opening forming a scraper arranged adjacent the surface of said filter drum. s

14. A filter comprising atank adapted to hold the material to be filtered, a filter drum rotatably arranged in said tank, afjet pipe adjacent the filter drum, means for supplying material to be filtered to said jet pipe at intervals whereby a jet of said material isdirected against 'the cake accumulated on said filter drum during the non-jet period, a tubular conductor provided with a longi' .tudinal opening thru which the loosened cake is impelled by said jet for directing the loosened cake to the bottom of said tank, the edge of said opening forming a scraper arranged adjacent the surface of said filter drum, and means for adjusting the position of said scraper edge to vary the maximum thickness of the filter cake formed on said filter drum. s v

- 15. A filter comprising a tank adapted to hold the material to be filtered, a filter drum rotatably arranged in said tank, a jet pipe adjacent the filter drum, means. forsupplying material to be filtered to said jet pipe at intervals whereby a jet of said material is directed against the cake accumulated on ing material to be filtered to said jet pipe at intervals whereby a jet of said materlal is directed a ainst the cake accumulated on said filter rum during the non-jet period,-a .tubular conductor provided with a longitudinal opening thru which. the loosened cake is impelled by said jet for directing the loosened cake to the bottom of said tank, a scraper arranged adjacent the surface of said filter drum for deflecting said loosened cake thru said opening, and means for adadjacent the filter drum for directing a et against said filter drum to dislodge the cake thereon, means for directing the loosened cake to the bottom of said tank, means for supplying the material to be filtered to said jet pipe, means for discharging the filtrate from said filter drum, means for interrupting the discharge of filtrate from said drum at regular intervals, and means for interrupting the flow of material to said jet pipe while the filtrate is discharging.

18. A filter comprising a tank adapted to hold the material to be filtered,' a filter drum rotatably arranged in said tank, a jet pipe adjacent the filter drum for directing a et against said filter drum to dislodge the cake thereon, means for directing the loosened cake to the bottom of said tank, means for supplying the material to be filtered to said jet pipe, means for discharging the filtrate from said filter drum, a feed valve for controlling the flow of material to said jet pipe, a discharge valve for controlling thefiow of filtrate thru said discharging means, and means for operating said valves whereby the discharge valve is closed before the feed valve is opened.

19. A filter comprising a tank adapted to hold the material to be filtered, a filter drum rotatably-arranged in said tank, a jet pipe adjacent the filter drum for directing a jet against said filter drum to dislodge the cake thereon, means for directing the loosened cake to the bottom of said tank, means for supplying the material to be filtered to saiding in time with the movement of said filter drum for operating said valves whereby the 4 dischargevalve is closed before the feed valve is opened.

20. A filter comprising a tank adapted to hold the material to be filtered, a dplurality of filter drums rotatably arrange in said tank, means for rotating said filter drums, a jet pi e adjacent each drum for directing a jet o the material to be filtered against said filter drum to dislodge the cake thereon, a discharge valve for controlling the flow of filtrate from each of said filter drums, a feed valve for controlling the flow of material to each of .said jet pi es, and means acting in time with said fi ter drum rotating means for opening one and closing the other of said valvesfor each drum and jet pipe in succession. j

i 7 tank; stirring blades onsaid shaft t of said .t'omed tank a'dapte valves comprisin centrically about sai shaft,- gearing" arranged. between said shaft and said filter drums todrive the latter from the former,

a jet pipe adjacent each filter drum, for directing a jet-of the material to be filtered against said filter drum to dislodge the cake thereon, means for directing the loosened cake to the bottom of said'tank, a pair of a discharge valve for controllin' the ow of filtrate from each to hold the material to' in theconical end ofsald'tank, a plurality of filter drums'rotatably arran ed in said tank conterv drums and a feed valve for, controllingthe flowof material to "each of;v s'aid'jet'pipes, a camon-said'shaft, and

means operated by said cam for successively operating each pairof valves; one of the valves of each pair 'being-closedand the other opened.

hold the material to be dium arranged in said tank,- a substantially vertical ipe having a longitudinally disposed jet s ot therein and arran ed adjacent the filter medium, and means or intermittently introducin material to he filtered into the lower en of said jet ipe whereby a sheet jet of said materia, 1s direeted against the cake accumulated on said filter medium during the non-jet period.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set 85 myhand.

DA'vID M. BERRY.

22. A filter comprisin a tank adapted to tered, a filter me- 

